Second Sunday Of Lent
Also Read: Mass Readings for 25 February 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 25 February 2024
Gospel: Mark 9: 2-10
There are only three occasions in the four gospels where we find God the Father speaking directly to the people.
On the first occasion, the heavenly voice introduced Jesus as His beloved Son, to John the Baptist and to those who gathered around John. (Mt 3:17 & Mk 1: 11).
On the final occasion, a heavenly voice was heard in response to a public prayer Jesus made. Jesus requested His Father, “Father glorify your name.” The heavenly voice agreed in response saying, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (Jn 12: 28).
The second one, the heavenly voice heard and recorded by Peter, John, and James is the core of our reflection today, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
It has two parts; the first part defines who Jesus is. He is the Son of God. No more room for any arguments. The second part is a command, “Listen to him.” In the whole New Testament, this is the only occasion where God the Father gives any command to any human being. It is not a command given through an intermediary. No prophet or no messenger is involved. It signifies just one thing; God gives so much importance to this command. He means it so much. Here, to listen is synonymous with obeying. It is a command to all humanity to listen attentively to Jesus and to live accordingly.
Lent is an occasion to take stock of our Christian life; Do we really listen to Jesus? Do we take pain to listen to Jesus?
The command does not give an option. It is “Listen to him,” no matter whether you like it or not. Those who find joy in listening and obeying Jesus shall inherit what Jesus promises. Those who refuse to listen to Him shall be made to listen and obey Him one final time when they shall be punished with eternal damnation.
If you take this command in its full seriousness, you will open the Bible every day to listen to Jesus. You will make it a point to converse with Jesus every day; it includes taking your pains, anxieties, hopes, failures, and joy to Jesus. When you know the worth of the command, you will love sitting next to Jesus and listening to His sweet voices heard as we spend our time with Him in silence; you will love spending time in front of the blessed sacrament in silence.
This Lent, let us make it a point to review our lives. Let us ask ourselves if we really obey the only direct command given by our Heavenly Father. There is a lot at stake.
Amen.
